Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor

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Fig 1: Identifying Camshaft Position Sensor

Courtesy of VOLVO CARS OF NORTH AMERICA.

The Engine Control Module (ECM) uses the signals from the camshaft position (CMP) sensor and the engine speed (RPM) sensor to establish the operating cycle of the engine. This enables the engine control module (ECM) to:

start the engine more quickly
control the correct ignition coil and injector
function as a substitute for the engine speed (RPM) sensor
check the camshaft continuous variable valve timing (CVVT).

The pulse wheel on the camshaft has five teeth with different gaps which correspond to a specific cylinder.

For further information, also see Knock sensor (KS) , Engine speed (RPM) sensor and Camshaft control (CVVT) .

The sensor, which is a magnetic resistor with a permanent magnet, is grounded in the control module and supplied with current from the control module. When one of the teeth on the camshaft pulse wheel passes the camshaft position (CMP) sensor, a signal is transmitted to the control module from the camshaft position (CMP) sensor. The signal varies between 0-1 V and is low when a flank passes the camshaft position (CMP) sensor.

The camshaft position (CMP) sensor is positioned at the rear of the engine on the camshaft with continuous variable valve timing (CVVT).

The engine control module (ECM) can diagnose the camshaft position (CMP) sensor.